Studio Claims Rappers|Spent Advance on Drugs

MANHATTAN (CN) – Da Youngfellaz rap group spent their advance money on drugs instead of marketing, a studio claims in court. StigmaSound Studios and its owner Frank Marquez sued Da Youngfellaz Inc., New Rich Entertainment, Joseph Aguiar, Johnny Aguiar and Brett Officer in New York County Supreme Court, alleging breach of contract, fraud, and unjust enrichment and seeking rescission of contract. StigmaSound claims it invested money in Da Youngfellaz for marketing purposes, loaning the rappers $25,000 in June 2012, $50,000 in October 2012 and $75,000 in January 2013. However, “the defendants used loan money from plaintiff StigmaSound for illegal purchases of marijuana,” according to the 11-page complaint. Marquez claims the hip-hoppers also spent his money on “excessive and unnecessary travel, meals, and entertainment and grossly-inflated concert ‘buy-ins.'” He adds: “(T)he spending habits of the defendants with the loan money they were provided with from plaintiff Stigma Sound became increasingly wasteful, unethical, reckless, and performed in bad faith and with poor business judgment.” Marquez wants the rappers to repay the $150,000. He is represented by Shamita Carriman. On its website, StigmaSound described itself as a “boutique recording, mixing and audio production facility.” On their own website, Da YoungFellaz say they “understand music as a business, and not merely a craft.”